Fabric blends of aramid fibers and flame resistant cellulosic fibers

ABSTRACT

The instant invention is directed to dyed fabric blends of aramid fibers and flame resistant (FR) cellulosic fibers, which retains a substantial amount of its strength and durability after dyeing. The dyeing process comprises the steps of: providing a fabric comprising a blend of aramid fibers and cellulosic fibers, dyeing the cellulosic fibers of the fabric, and dyeing the aramid fibers of the fabric. Dyeing of the aramid fibers being preformed with low agitation, an aryl ester carrier, and, preferably, at a temperature between 100-110° C.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The instant invention is directed to a dyed fabric blend ofaramid fibers and flame resistant (FR) cellulosic fibers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fabric blends of aramid fibers and flame resistant (FR)cellulosic fibers are known. See: Japanese Kokais 50-90778 and 58-87376,and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,215,545 and 6,132,476. These fabric blends arepopular today for use in protective garments. These blends are morecomfortable than prior fabrics made of aramid fibers alone. Comfort isan important factor in the commercialization of such garments. Otherimportant factors include, but are not limited to, availability of thefabric in various colors, cost of the fabric, durability of the fabric,and ability of the fabric to protect the wearer from specific hazard,such as fire, flame, or the like.

[0003] The blends of fibers give rise to greater comfort, but the blendsare difficult to dye because aramid fibers and FR cellulosic fibers areso different, for example, these fibers require different dyes,processing aids, and dye process conditions. These fibers were sodifferent, in fact, that until recently it was believed that such blendscould not be dyed commercially in a blended form because the conditions(e.g., dye bath temperature for aramid dyeing) necessary to dye thearamid fibers would destroy the FR treatment on the cellulosic fiber.Therefore, aramid fiber producers offered “solution” dyed aramid fibers.Solution dyed aramid fibers address the dyeing problem, but such fibersare expensive and limited in choice of color. In Japanese Kokai50-90778, a fabric blend of aramid fibers and flame retardant rayonfibers is dyed in a bath containing reactive dyes and an assistant(dimethyl phosphate carboxy methylol amide) at a temperature less than100° C. In Japanese Kokai 58-87376, a fabric blend of aramid fibers andrayon fibers is dyed in a bath containing a basic dye and a carrier(i.e., acetophenones or paraphenyl phenol) at a temperature between 100°C. and 120° C. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,545, there is disclosed a two-stepprocess for printing on a fabric blend of aramid fibers and FRcellulosic fibers. The blend is pretreated with a dye assistant, such asN-octyl-pyrrolidone (NOP), prior to printing and/or FR treatment. InU.S. Pat. No. 6,132,476, there is disclosed a two-step process fordyeing a fabric blend of aramids and FR rayon (viscose). First, the FRrayon fibers of the blend are dyed, in a conventional manner, and,thereafter, the aramid fibers of the blend are dyed in a “jet-dyer” at atemperature between 70-100° C. using a dye assistant, e.g.,N-octyl-pyrrolidone (NOP). While the latter process does provide aprocess for dyeing the blends, the process weakens the blend whichreduces its strength and durability.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need to provide dyed fabric blends ofaramid fibers and FR cellulosic fibers and processes for producing them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The instant invention is directed to dyed fabric blends of aramidfibers and flame resistant (FR) cellulosic fibers, which retains asubstantial amount of its strength and durability after dyeing. Thedyeing process comprises the steps of: providing a fabric comprising ablend of aramid fibers and cellulosic fibers, dyeing the cellulosicfibers of the fabric, and dyeing the aramid fibers of the fabric. Dyeingof the aramid fibers being preformed with low agitation, an aryl estercarrier, and, preferably, at a temperature between 100-110° C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to a dyed fabric blend ofaramid fibers and FR cellulosic fibers, which retains a substantialamount of its strength and durability after dyeing, and a process fordyeing that fabric. To illustrate this statement, reference is made toTable 1 where a blended fabric dyed according to the instant inventionis compared to one dyed according to the procedure set out U.S. Pat. No.6,132,476. TABLE I Prior Art (U.S. Pat. No. Property Invention6,132,476) Blend 65% Nomex 65% Nomex 35% Rayon FR 35% Rayon FR Weight4.6 osy 4.6 osy Weave Plain Plain Tensile (ASTM 114 × 79 lb. 106 × 57lb. D5034-1990) Tear (ASTM D5587) 20.3 × 10.6 lb. 18.5 × 9.4 lb.Abrasion (ASTM D- 290 cycles 225 cycles 3884) Thermal shrinkage 1.2% ×0.8% 4.5% × 3.0% (oven) (NFPA 1975- 1999)

[0007] While not wishing to be bound to this theory, it is believedthat, in the low temperature, prior art process, the aramid fibers areinsufficiently crystallized and that higher temperatures facilitatecrystallization.

[0008] Fabric blends refer to blends of aramid fibers and FR cellulosicfibers. Blends of these fibers may range from 20-80% aramid fibers incombination with about 80-20% FR cellulosic fibers. Blends having 40-65%aramid are preferred. Aramid fibers refer to both meta-aramid fibers andpara-aramid fibers. Meta-aramids are the preferred aramid fiber. FRcellulosic fibers refer to rayon (viscose), acetate, tri-acetate, andlyocell which are pretreated with flame retardants. Rayon is thepreferred cellulosic fiber. The aramid fibers, cellulosic fibers, and FRtreatments, referred to herein, are conventional.

[0009] In the dyeing process, the aramid fibers and cellulosic fibers ofthe blend are dyed in separate steps. Dyeing refers to a single shade ofcolor and the dye penetrating into both fibers. For example, the fabricis subjected to a dye bath for the aramid fibers and then to a dye bathfor cellulosic fibers. The procedures of this process are set out below.

[0010] In the present invention, the blends are dyed in low agitationdyeing processes versus high agitation dyeing processes. While notwishing to be bound to this theory, it is believed that agitation causesthe loss of FR treatment from the blend in addition to or instead of thedye bath temperature. Accordingly, if a low agitation process is used,then dye bath temperatures may be increased which, in turn, is lesssevere or more beneficial to the blend and allows the blend to retaingreater strength and durability. High agitation processes include “jetdyeing” in which the dye liquor is impinged on the fabric moving througha venturi jet system. Low agitation processes include, for example, beam(package) dyeing, jig dyeing, and beck dyeing.

[0011] With regard to dyeing the FR cellulosic fibers of the blend, theyare dyed in a conventional manner. The aqueous dye bath must include,for example, a dye stuff and a surfactant (wetting agent). The dye stuffis any conventionally used with cellulosic fibers. The preferred dyestuffs include vat dyes and reactive dyes. Other additives may also beincluded in the bath, for example, carriers, dispersing aids,surfactants, oil and water repellents, crease resistant and auxiloryfinishes, biologically protective finishes, and flame retardants. Theliquor ratio is conventional; preferably, it is 1:15. Preferably, theblend is maintained in the bath at a temperature (preferably about 60°C.) for a specific time (preferably about 30 minutes). Thereafter, thefabric is cooled and rinsed in a known manner.

[0012] With regard to dyeing the aramid fibers of the blend, they arepreferably dyed in the manner set out below. The aqueous dye bath shouldinclude, for example, a dye stuff, a dispersing agent, a surfactant(e.g., wicking agent), and a carrier. The dye stuff is anyconventionally used with aramid fibers. The preferred dye stuff includescationic dyes or basic dyes. The dispersing agent is any conventionallyused with the chosen dye stuff. The surfactant is chosen to ensure thatthe dye stuff is wetted on to the fibers. The carrier is chosen tofacilitate dye penetration into the aramid fiber. The carrier ispreferably an aryl ester, and most preferably 1-phenoxy-propanol. Otheradditives may also be included in the bath, for example, photoprotective agents, antioxidants, and antistatic agents. The liquor ratiois conventional; preferably, it is 1:15. Preferably, the blend ismaintained in the bath at a temperature (preferably between 100° C. and110° C.) for a specific time (preferably about 45 minutes). Thereafter,the fabric is cooled and rinsed in a known manner.

[0013] After all dyeing has been completed, the fabric then can befinished in the conventional manner. The finishing process can includethe application of wicking agents, water repellants, stiffening agents,softeners, and the like.

EXAMPLE

[0014] An aramid/FR rayon blend was dyed according to the followingprocess:

[0015] The blend consisted of a 65% aramid (Nomex® fiber)—35% FR rayon(Lenzing). Dyeing was conducted in a beam dyeing apparatus. The dye bath(liquor ratio 1:15) for the FR rayon comprised a wetting agent, salt,soda ash-alkali, and a reactive dye stuff. The fabric was held in thedye bath for 30 minutes at 60° C. Thereafter, the fabric was rinsed. Thedye bath (liquor ratio 1:15) for the aramid comprised a dispersingagent, a carrier (1-phenoxy-propanol), sodium nitrate, a wicking agent,and a cationic (or basic) dye stuff. The fabric was held in the dye bathfor 45 minutes at 110° C. Thereafter, the fabric was washed and dried.During the entire dyeing process, the fabric was static and notagitated.

[0016] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specifications, as indicating the scope of theinvention.

In the claims:
 1. A process for dyeing fabric blends of aramid fibersand cellulosic fibers comprising the steps of: providing a fabriccomprising a blend of aramid fibers and cellulosic fibers, dyeing thecellulosic fibers of the fabric, and dyeing the aramid fibers of thefabric, said dyeing being performed with low agitation process beingselected from the group consisting of beam dyeing, jig dyeing, and beckdyeing.
 2. The process according to claim 1 wherein dyeing of aramidfibers being performed at a temperature ranging between 100-110° C. 3.The process according to claim 1 wherein dyeing of aramid fibers beingperformed with a carrier selected from the group consisting of arylesters.
 4. The process according to claim 3 wherein said aryl ester is1-phenoxy-propanol.
 5. A process for dyeing fabric blends of aramidfibers and cellulosic fibers comprised in the steps of: providing afabric comprising a blend of aramid fibers and cellulosic fibers, dyeingthe cellulosic fibers of the fabric, and dyeing the aramid fibers of thefabric, said dyeing being performed with a low agitation process beingselected from the group consisting of beam dyeing, jig dyeing, and beckdyeing, at a temperature ranging between 100-110° C. and with a carrierselected from the group consisting of aryl esters.
 6. The processaccording to claim 5 wherein said aryl ester is 1-phenoxy-propanol.
 7. Aprocess for dyeing an aramid fabric comprising the steps of: providingan aramid fabric dyeing said fabric by subjecting said fabric to lowagitation process, said process being selected from the group consistingof beam dyeing, jig dyeing, and beck dyeing, at a temperature rangingfrom 100° C. to 110° C. in a dye bath including a dye stuff, adispersing agent, a surfactant, and an aryl ester carrier.
 8. Theprocess according to claim 7 wherein said aryl ester is1-phenoxy-propanol.
 9. A dyed fabric blend comprising: 20-80% aramidfibers 80-20% flame retardant cellulosic fibers and said fibers beingdyed to a single shade of color and said dye penetrating into saidfibers and said fabric having an abrasion resistance (ASTM D-3884) of250 cycles or better.
 10. The fabric blend according to claim 9 furthercomprising a thermal shrinkage (NFPA 1975-1999) of less than 3%.